Chapter 260

Words : 2024 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

“All the knights who have arrived have begun participating in the royal knight squad training. And the distribution of artifacts has been completed as well.” “The reaction?” “According to Instructor Heinkel, morale is skyrocketing to the heavens.” “Good. Just as expected.” Logan, with a satisfied smile prompted by Dwayne’s report, scanned his surroundings. Eyes settled upon the reassuring faces of Swordmaster, his father, Eillen, Clayton, Heinkel, Victor, Damian—all except for Phillip, who was in the empire, and Hamar, who was in Taren. Everyone whom Logan could confide in had gathered, looking at him. At a time when Logan’s idea of implementing a legion system combining all military forces of the kingdom was taking shape, they had come together to discuss more concrete plans. And there was one new face among them. “It is a great honor to know that my acting has been of such help, Your Majesty.” The kingdom’s chief minister, Robert Floyd, bowed his head toward Logan with a smile covering his face. The prior opposition to Logan’s plans in the grand meeting, which sparked the noble’s rebellion led by Zakk Juan, was revealed to have been a pre-discussed play. Given the assembly of essential figures of the royal court, Roberts took the opportunity to kindly remind everyone of his small contribution. “The real beginning is now, Chief Minister.” “Of course, I am aware of that. But since Your Majesty is personally taking the lead, I firmly believe that everything will proceed well.” Flattery to the point of sycophancy followed. Beside him, Eillen slightly furrowed her brows and pulled at Roberts’s arm, but he only looked at his daughter, puzzled. Subsequently, Eillen let out a small sigh, and Logan let out a chuckle at the sight of the father and daughter. Eillen then diverted the topic, evidently to avoid the awkwardness. “We’ve gathered all the knights, but what about the soldiers?” “We have to summon them as well. A legion can’t consist only of knights.” “What about peacekeeping in each territory then...?” Heinkel expressed his concerns promptly, but Logan was unfazed. “Once the combined training is complete, troops will be redeployed accordingly. Naturally, only a small number will be dispatched, and that will only happen after the basic training and the legion organization are finalized.” “In the meantime, what do you plan to do? Incidents could break out simultaneously across the kingdom.” The skepticism in Heinkel’s voice was justified, but it was also something Logan had anticipated. “Of course, replacement troops must be prepared beforehand.” “Replacement troops, you say...?” “As the harvest season comes to an end, peasants can be trained during the idle winter months.” “Trained?” “Just like in the Macline territory, neighborhood watch groups will be formed, focusing on the use of repeating crossbows.” Logan unveiled his preconceived plan. As only regular troops were not enough to fight the empire, organizing these neighborhood patrols was deemed essential. His allies nodded in agreement. “Arming the common folk with weapons capable of slaying knights might indeed incite a rebellion, yet it’s curious how little we worry about that.” The concept of a popular uprising was uncommon among them. A fully armed Force User, a knight, could easily handle hundreds of untrained civilians. If tens of thousands of peasants organized a revolt, it would collapse swiftly under a knight’s might. But what if they were given weapons capable of killing knights? Especially now, with knight forces centralized away from their territories, soldiers alone could not contain such a threat. Yet Logan did not worry. “All the greedy, wicked nobles capable of causing a rebellion are already dead by my hand. Even if any cowardly villains remain, that would be a natural consequence of cause and effect, one not to involve the royal family. Moreover...” “Currently, praises for Your Majesty pierce the heavens. Our lack of concern is derived from that, without question.” While Robert Floyd once again offered flattery, nobody frowned this time. The words were true. Logan, too, smiled at the count who voiced the commendation he would have felt awkward to say himself. “Well, yes. So, we needn’t worry about that. Once the neighborhood watch training is completed in the winter, we will summon the territorial soldiers. And in spring, the entire military structure of the kingdom will be revamped into legions.” “If Your Majesty’s plan succeeds, we’ll have five legions and hundreds of thousands in the neighborhood watch.” Even the Swordmaster, who usually kept his composure, couldn’t help but be impressed by the sheer scale of the potential forces. “That is the goal. Each legion will be as powerful as the partisan armies of the first and second princes. I ask for everyone’s strength a little longer.” “Yes!” A contagion of elated smiles spread among them, but then Dwayne timidly raised his hand. “Your Majesty, what about the costs of training the neighborhood watch and supplying repeating crossbows? The nobles are already in tough conditions...” “Didn’t the territories of the purged nobles become the royal domain? We can cover it. As for the crossbows, since we produce them, we can make them at cost.” “...Even so, we’re talking about hundreds of thousands.” “Yes, quite possible.” Ah. ‘Sure enough, if at cost... it’s manageable...’ One could almost hear the distant wailing of a certain dwarf in Taren, but Dwayne chose to blissfully ignore this tragic fate. Yet, Damian’s voice that followed was a solemn tribute to his colleague. “Additionally, there are three more wastelands which can be developed thanks to the dam projects. First... (content omitted)... We should deploy a ‘specialized construction team’ as soon as possible.” “Three more places...” ‘Hamar forgives me, I couldn’t obstruct this for you.’ Even Clayton, a wizard, seemed a tad pale, but Dwayne’s voice of conscience was merely a prayer that would never leave his lips. After briefly closing his eyes, Dwayne eagerly changed the subject to forget his guilt. “The Healers Guild has breached the final preparations to open branches throughout the kingdom. They request the permission of the royal family and each lord.” “Oh, is that so? Permission is easy. Any requests for support funds?” “Fortuitously, a mere 3 million gold was requested. Guildmaster Gilbert is indeed an upright and honest man.” By Dwayne’s standards, someone who asked for little money was good-natured. If someone requested only 3 million gold to establish guild branches across over 80 territories of the royal family, that person was a supreme simpleton, no, an angel. “Dispatch an official document recommending that those who are ill seek treatment at the Healers Guild. Almost no common folk have the means to visit shrines anyway.” “It shall be so.” The expansion of the Healers Guild across the kingdom. In a previous life, this feat was only realized more than a decade after the kingdom had fallen and had become the empire’s Grancia territory. This development was a new heartfelt experience for Logan. The certainty that something was gradually taking shape filled him. Additionally, he recalled Gilbert’s words from the last time they parted after dealing with the plague. – It doesn’t have to be a plague alone. According to our collected data, if the hygiene conditions are improved, the incidence rate of all diseases will significantly decrease. That statement became a catalyst for Logan to further his already planned actions. “How is the sewage system project going?” “In the royal domain and the Esperanza territory, the work is almost finished. With more laborers available during the off-season, the project can rapidly be applied to other territories.” Just by ensuring proper sewage facilities to remove waste from cities, sanitary conditions would be remarkably improved. ‘No more foul smells upon entering cities, nor rubbish piled up along the roads.’ It was an improvement of living conditions with the added purpose of disease prevention. Most likely, the empire’s system, which came to be only years after conquering Grancia, included that goal as well. ‘Learning from the empire to resist them.’ The irony of choosing such a method made Logan smile to himself. But the results were certain to be unequivocal. What Logan most anticipated was this, discovered by the empire after conquering Grancia, only by accident and years later. “How is the progress with the mana irrigation farming method?” An unexpected gift from the Grancia Liberation Front, which was handed over by the empire. “Ever since Magician Victoria determined the ratio of mana stones, the work’s pace has significantly increased. By next spring, every land of the kingdom is expected to become fertile soil assured to produce bountiful harvests for ten years.” Dwayne’s words brought smiles to the faces of everyone in the room. “An unbelievable method indeed. Really...” Even the Swordmaster rarely exhibited such a bright expression of wonder. Logan, with his usual grin, added to the conversation. “Hasn’t it already been proven in Esperanza?” “Ah, yes. That’s why it’s even more unbelievable. It’s like a miracle.” “As expensive as it may be.” “When compared to the results, it’s a trifle.” Everyone nodded in agreement to those words. The mana irrigation method was indeed costly. But the value it could bring to change the world was apparent to most present there. – Let go of repeating crossbows, the Liberatio, artifacts. Once this method becomes known, it can create a paradise. Such a possibility was enchanting. Greed is at the root of wars inscribed in human history, and this greed arises from limited resources. If humanity had enough food to eat and more, most wars would lose their meaning. Of course. ‘Then the cost of mana stones will spike insanely, and those few mines will be monopolized by the powerful.’ That it was a utopian theory was well understood by all. “If things proceed as discussed today, and the kingdom is fully prepared, we will complete a mighty nation capable of withstanding the threats from the empire. And...” With this young king at the helm, the utopian theory might just become reality in Grancia Kingdom. At least Dwayne thought so. “...Perhaps our resilience will cause the empire to abandon their warmongering plans.” The thoughts expressed by the young king with shining red eyes might have been wishful thinking. “Of course, that’s unlikely. But the mere possibility fills me with great pride. And being able to laugh and talk about it at this moment...” But if the lord who had always exceeded common sense and delivered exceptional results... “...I’m keenly aware that all of this was possible because of everyone here who has supported my impulsive actions and thoughts.” Could aim to achieve, why couldn’t he? “I had a lot to say, but there’s only one thing that comes to mind right now.” As Dwayne regarded the king with a mix of hazy expectations, Logan suddenly bowed his head. “Thank you all very much.” An instant of silence ensued. The sudden gesture by the king left his ministers momentarily disoriented, but their eyes soon sparkled with unified blessing. ‘Yes.’ If this young ruler at the Kingdom’s summit could bow like this... “There will be many events in the future. But I promise you one thing for certain.” He could achieve anything. “I will work tirelessly to protect you and this kingdom until the end.” The confidence that had etched itself in his own heart from some point. Perhaps that’s why. Most unable to help it, Dwayne inadvertently burst out. “I will do the same!” His spontaneous shout left no time for embarrassment. One by one, similar impassioned voices began to echo around him. “I will serve with absolute loyalty!” “For the kingdom!” “Glory to Macline!” “Let’s see this to the end!” People who have finally tasted a sliver of hope after enduring hard times. The pieces they held turned into one hope, filling the room entirely.

Chapter 260

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